Steve passed away Nov. 11, 2017, in Centralia after a courageous battle with Alzheimer's disease for the past six years. He was born Aug. 1, 1931, in Lead, S.D., to Earl and Edna Sullivan. As a boy growing up in Butte, Mont., he delivered papers and shine shoes. In 1948, Sully joined the United States Navy and toured the world on an aircraft carrier the USS Tarrara, until 1952. He then returned to Butte and in 1954, he married Joanne Lamuth and started a family of four children. Sully joined an amateur boxing club, amassed a 156-5 record and many golden glove titles. Following the 1959 tournament in Chicago, he was one win from going to the 1960 Olympic games. He worked in many jobs during that time, including the copper mine in Butte, a roofer and worked on the John Day Dam. In 1962, the family moved to Centralia, while Sully and Joanne opened Sully's Motorcycle Shop. Joanne ran the shop, while Sully worked as a meat cutter for Safeway, Fullers, IGA. He also worked as a waiter in the Las Vegas casinos and Tires Inc. Sully loved to travel, he made many trips back to his beloved Butte and especially found a love for Australia, which he visited for months at a time, on five different occasions. He always believed in keeping himself in good physical condition and in the late 70s and 80s, he competed in many running events, including the Sound to Narrows run. Sully was an accomplished motorcycle racer in the 60s and 70s, and when no longer racing himself, he announced for motorcycle races that was held in Rainier and at the Southwest Washington Fairgrounds. He enjoyed snow skiing, golf, racquetball and kept in shape by cutting firewood and taking long walks each day. Sully loved a good argument, once being called a "professional agitator," but mostly for his own entertainment over a cup of coffee with family and friends. He is survived by his wife, Joanne; sons, Dan Sullivan and Mike Sullivan (Valerie) of Centralia and Mark Sullivan of Denver, Colo.; daughter, Joy Sullivan (Dave Warfield) of Earp, Calif.; granddaughter, Shawna Sullivan of Seattle, Wash.; sisters, Rose Mason of Virginia City, Mont., and Adrienne (Chuck) Alexander of Centralia, Wash.; brothers, Ray Sullivan (Brenda) of Rochester, Wash., Tom (Joanie) Sullivan of Butte, Mont.; 11 grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren. Sully was preceded in death by his parents; and sister, Eva. A potluck celebration of life will be held Nov. 25, 2017, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., at the Moose Lodge, 1400 Grand Ave., Centralia, WA 98531.
